Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
The Pulitzer Prizes hosted a discussion between author Hernan Diaz, 2023 Fiction winner for his novel, Trust, an epic tale of family, wealth, and ambition in early 20th century America, and journalist Eli Saslow, 2023 Feature Writing winner for his evocative portraits of people struggling with the pandemic, homelessness, and wealth inequality. The conversation was moderated by Marjorie Miller, Administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes.
Hernan Diaz and Eli Saslow explore truth and trust in journalism and literature, consider whose narratives get told, and share their thoughts on the creative process.
The event was held at Austin's Central Library Gallery on November 16, 2023, in collaboration with Austin's Library Foundation and PEN America.
This was part of an ongoing Pulitzer on the Road series, bringing conversations with Pulitzer Prize winners to audiences around the country. Read more about Pulitzer on the Road at pulitzer.org
Timestamps:
00:00 On finding one's characters
10:54 On centering unheard voices
16:05 Why people talk to journalists
20:28 Keeping the audience in mind
24:16 Portraits of two Americas, 100 years apart
31:48 On learning they won a Pulitzer
35:46 On reading fiction while writing (audience question for Diaz)
37:47 Form vs content (audience question for Diaz)
39:55 Storytelling in journalism (audience question for Saslow)
43:59 Finding your ending
47:11 On writing difficult stories (audience question for Saslow)
50:34 Path into feature writing as a journalist (audience question for Saslow)
54:00 Advice for writers (audience question for both)
56:43 Tips and tricks for writers block (audience question for both)
The Pulitzer Prizes hosted a discussion between author Hernan Diaz, 2023 Fiction winner for his novel, Trust, an epic tale of family, wealth, and ambition in early 20th century America, and journalist Eli Saslow, 2023 Feature Writing winner for his evocative portraits of people struggling with the pandemic, homelessness, and wealth inequality. The conversation was moderated by Marjorie Miller, Administrator of the Pulitzer Prizes.
Hernan Diaz and Eli Saslow explore truth and trust in journalism and literature, consider whose narratives get told, and share their thoughts on the creative process.
The event was held at Austin's Central Library Gallery on November 16, 2023, in collaboration with Austin's Library Foundation and PEN America.
This was part of an ongoing Pulitzer on the Road series, bringing conversations with Pulitzer Prize winners to audiences around the country. Read more about Pulitzer on the Road at pulitzer.org
Timestamps:
00:00 On finding one's characters
10:54 On centering unheard voices
16:05 Why people talk to journalists
20:28 Keeping the audience in mind
24:16 Portraits of two Americas, 100 years apart
31:48 On learning they won a Pulitzer
35:46 On reading fiction while writing (audience question for Diaz)
37:47 Form vs content (audience question for Diaz)
39:55 Storytelling in journalism (audience question for Saslow)
43:59 Finding your ending
47:11 On writing difficult stories (audience question for Saslow)
50:34 Path into feature writing as a journalist (audience question for Saslow)
54:00 Advice for writers (audience question for both)
56:43 Tips and tricks for writers block (audience question for both)
